The Mud

Written a long time ago, when I outted myself to my straight-laced, conservative, republican family as a supporter of Barack Obama.

Indeed, it’s a fucked up day

when a daughter realizes her father is a bigot.

For once…and maybe not for awhile more…we’re given

a real chance at some kind of future

and all around me these

Blood sucking, read between the biblical verses

leeches are throwing around

phrases and fallacies they can’t begin to understand.

And speaking of standing,

my legs are still strong…I’ll stand

on the two feet that my mother gave me

and then I’ll run…

I’ll run circles around all of you who are stuck in

the mud you’ve gotten yourself in

with your closed-minds and open-mouths-

And I won’t tire…

I won’t.

Because the looks on your faces

will be enough to keep me going.

Knowing I’ve shocked you all

into disbelief…and you’ll sink…

and grasp for my “MUSLIM” loving hand

to pull you out…and then

when I’ve pulled you from the depths of

your muddied beliefs, you still won’t accept

that change is the only way out

of this hellhole we’ve put ourselves in…

Reviews

[Violet Rose]

You have mastered the arts of youth. Rebellion, intuitive and clever language that still holds familiarity with the readers, and the master of your word processor (hah). The new font types didn't look silly as it usually does when people switch it up, but you did a good job.

And yeah, it really is a fucked up day (one of the worst days) when we realize how imperfect our parents are. We NEED them to be perfect - how else will we reach that ideal person society wants us to be? I'm proud you actually realized this, though. What's worse than having a bigot father, is being ignorant to it and becoming one yourself.

Bible-thumpers are some of the worst people and they seem to throw youths into the flames of confusion and evil the most. What God, Gods, the Fates, whatever want is for us to be good people and to be happy. When these so-called "leaders" tell us to stay away from Jews, that Muslims are evil murderers, that women are stupid, that blacks were born from monkeys, they wrong that God they claim to serve.

It's people like Rachel Scott and Ann Frank that we should instead turn to for life's lessons, you know? The people that couldn't give two craps if you were rich or poor, what god or gods you served, your genders...

D****t. I'm rambling. Sorry.

Your poem brings up great themes and has a powerful message. I hope it gets out and gets popular.

[cigale]

Very Powerful! I love the rebelliousness in this piece!

You created very powerful imagery with your description of running circles around the bigots.

Thank you for not being afraid to address the hypocrisy that accompanies being a self righteous, fundamentalist, bible banger.

Love your honesty!

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Well I have to admire you taking your stand, it is tough when it's your family... I know how you feel for my father is very prejudice luckly my mom wasn't... anyways I love the raw emotional power you put into this piece

And speaking of standing,

my legs are still strong�I'll stand

on the two feet that my mother gave me

and then I'll run�

I really love this part of the poem for it shows you will use what the family gave you against them.

[Shellie]

This is powerful Leslie, really well written and the positivity of your belief in Barack Obama is so profound. The emphasis with changed font is great; it works so well, you use such fantastic phrases and the title gave nothing away till you start reading the poem. Brilliant!!